Ex-Official Accuses Tinubu’s Administration of Exclusion
Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North West, has expressed concerns about the disregard for the party’s leadership and its statutory organs by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement titled “Nigerian Politics of Morbid Desire for Naked Power,” Lukman alleged that key party leaders were not being consulted in recent appointments made by the Tinubu administration.
Lukman went on to suggest that a significant disconnect exists between President Tinubu and the top leaders of the APC.
He claimed that certain individuals around the President have formed a protective shield, which excludes other stakeholders in the party.
According to Lukman, despite the expectations that accompanied the leadership of both former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the actions of the Tinubu administration have raised concerns.
He pointed out that access to the President by many APC leaders is limited, and party leaders have a narrow capacity to influence the Tinubu government.
The former APC National Vice Chairman argued that both President Tinubu’s government and former President Buhari’s administration shared similar attributes and behavioural patterns.
He claimed that appointments and criteria for such appointments were determined exclusively by the two leaders and their close associates, bypassing party organs and leaders.
Lukman also highlighted a shift in the replacement of heads of government agencies under the Tinubu administration, which differs from the Buhari era, where many appointees were retained.
He argued that this has contributed to a strained relationship between APC leaders and Federal Government appointees.
He criticised the absence of functioning constitutional organs within the APC since the party’s electoral victory in 2015.
This has prevented the party from holding elected leaders accountable and further entrenched what Lukman called the “morbid desire for naked power.”
He concluded by expressing concern about attempts to justify the administration’s actions by comparing them to the previous government’s performance.
Source: Tribune Online
